About Town: Week of November 29

British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Ira Flatow discuss science, religion, and the search for meaning in a live video broadcast from New York’s 92nd St. Y, 8 p.m. in the YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC’s Grover Auditorium. 514-737-6551, ext. 222.

Legendary rock band the Doobie Brothers are the big draw at ORT Montreal’s 29th annual benefit gala, 6 p.m. at Place Des Arts in an evening that includes a pre-show reception and live auction with great prizes. The honoree at the event, co-chaired by Debra Margles and Lorne Wiseman, is Nathan Wasser, a Holocaust survivor and longtime ORT supporter. Call 514-481-2787.

MUSICAL JOURNEY

Jennifer Gasoi, accompanied by a four-piece band, presents a “musical journey” for kids at a holiday concert 11 a.m. at the Jewish Public Library presented by the Norman Berman Children’s and PJ libraries. Tickets, 514-345-2627, exts. 3012 or 3179.

POWER JAZZ

The Segal Centre’s and Power Corporation’s Power Jazz Series continues with the André White Quartet, 8 p.m. Tickets, 514-739-7944.

Monday, Dec. 3

JNF & DRAGON BOATS

Jewish National Fund Montreal holds a 7:30 p.m. information meeting at 5757 Cavendish Blvd. on joining its Blazing Saddles dragon boat team, which will take part in the second annual Israeli Dragon Boat Festival, May 8-10 in Israel during JNF’s May 2-12 Earth, Fire and Water tour of the country. Email team captain Donna Goloff, jnf.letitride@gmail.com, or call Gail Grief, 514-934-0313, ext. 240.

AT THE JPL

At 7 p.m., Jewish Public Library’s Mother-Daughter Book Discussion Group, led by Penny Fransblow, focuses on Clare Vanderpool’s Moon Over Manifest (register at 514-345-2627, exts. 3028 and 3012). At 7:30 p.m., Merle Kastner talks about her family’s roots in Romania and Ukraine at a Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal evening. Call the JGS hotline at 514-484-0969.

Tuesday, Dec. 4

COMMITMENT POWER

The “Power of Commitment” is the topic at the Jewish Institute of Brides & Grooms’ 8 p.m. session at Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem synagogue. Call 514-733-1298.

Last month, Israeli consul general Joel Lion and his wife Rivka hosted a reception at their home marking the 70th anniversary of Emunah Canada. The event honoured the Montreal governors of Emunah’s Neve Michael’s Children’s Village, the organization’s crown jewel in Pardes Hanna, Israel. The event also raised more the $70,000 for the village and featured a talk by village graduate Shlomo Ben-David, now a successful kosher foods businessman in Chicago. The evening featured the presentation of the Jean Quint Memorial Award and expressed appreciation to venerable Emunah Montreal figures Roslyn Schneiderman, Elaine Monaker, Ruth Drazin, and Marla Veres.

WINTER CLOTHING NEEDED

Chabad of Westmount’s Jteens group seeks coats, jackets, scarves and hats for the needy during the winter. All donors need to do is email the article’s size and condition to jteenscoatdrive@gmail.com and the item will be picked up. Contact Mushky at 514-937-4772.

DOC AWARDS

Last month’s Montreal International Documentary Festival included an award to Palestinian Emad Burnat’s and Israeli Guy Davidi’s film 5 Broken Cameras by a jury of female inmates at Joliette prison. The film also garnered the People’s Choice Award presented by Canal D.

HOLOCAUST GENERATIONS

Last month, in a unique intergenerational program, 33 Grade 10 students from Riverdale High School visited the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors for 2-1/2 hours to meet with Holocaust survivors in order to create more awareness among the students about the Shoah. The teens were accompanied by ethics teacher Patricia Donovan, whose course includes a unit on the Holocaust. The day included students, grouped in pairs, posing a specific series of questions to survivors. Both the teens and seniors benefited from learning about intolerance and prejudice and the ability of humans to transcend tragedy.

VOLUNTEER TUTORS

Agence Ometz is recruiting volunteer tutors to work with elementary or high school students, especially volunteers with French and/or math skills. Geri Shaw at 514-342-0000. ext. 3424.

Accountant Richard Wise, a member of the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal’s professional advisory committee, recently received Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizing 35 years of accomplishment in the field of business evaluation and his dedicated service to the community and Canada… Last month’s J.I. Segal Awards gala also included recognition of David Botwinik for his “vital contribution to Jewish music” in his book From Holocaust to Life… Jewish General Hospital physician-in-chief Dr. Ernesto Schiffrin was last month named president of the International Society of Hypertension at a ceremony in Sydney, Australia.